What is bullying?

• Bullying is the repeated harassment and attack on others
• It can be physical or verbal or both
• Bullying has been reported in on-line chat rooms, short message system (SMS) and also through e-mails
• It often occurs without the knowledge of parents and teachers
• Bullies most often deny their involvement, while victims of bullies choose to keep quiet for fear of revenge and embarrassment

Why does one bully?

Several factors contribute to making a bully. They include:

• Family factors:
  • Lack of warmth and affection from parents
  • Harsh disciplining methods
  • Poor parental supervision
  • Abusive behavior of parents

• Teenager factors:
  • Impulsive behavior
  • Temperamental character
  • Depression about happenings at home or school
  • Angry about mistreatment at home or school
  • Being victim of physical abuse or bullying

• School factors:
  • Bullying incidents are not dealt firmly
  • Insufficient supervision of identified bullies
  • Poor control over students
  • Low morale amongst teachers

Why does one get bullied?

You are at risk of being bullied if you are:

• Physically small and weak
• Feeling insecure
• Timid
• Anxious
• Lacking self-confidence
• Not getting support from parents and teachers

How can you tell if one is a bully?

A bully is someone who:

• Hurts others physically
  • E.g.: Hit, punch or kick
• Hurts others emotionally or verbally
  • E.g.: Calling names, spread rumors or make insults
• Purposely excludes another from the group
• Damages the property of others
• Tells others not to befriend the person

How can you tell if someone is being bullied?

A person who is being bullied often:

• Is afraid to go to school
• Loses his belongings
• Is very anxious
• Has few friends
• Shows poor progress in school
• Comes home with torn clothes or injury

Can the bullies be helped?

Bullying is not something that one can outgrow by itself. Bullies can be helped by making them:

• Admit the problem
• Realize the consequences of their actions
• Change their bad behaviors and attitudes
• Learn better ways of handling anger and illustrations
• Seek advice from school counselors, religious teachers or doctors

Can bullying be avoided?

YES, it can!! Try these few tips:

• Avoid situations where you are alone with the bully
• Be with a group of friends when moving about
• Learn self-defense skills such as silat and taekwondo
• Act brave, even if you are scared :
  • Stand straight and tall
  • Look at the bully in the eye

• If confronted by a group:
  • RUN!!! – There is nothing to be ashamed about
  • Get help from reliable adults. For example, if bullying happen at school, report the incident to the teachers or parents.

What can happen if bullying is not stopped?

The bully may end up with:

• Difficulties in making friends
• Inability to conform with rules and regulations and end up in prison
• Being expelled from school
• Psychiatric disorders such as antisocial personality

The victim will suffer from:

• School refusal
• Poor school performance
• Increased fearfulness and anxiety
  • Making them behave more timidly

• Feelings of inadequacy
  • Leading to low Self-esteem

• Depression
  • Leading to Suicide

Where can you get help?

You can seek help from your:

• Talk to someone you can trust e.g.:
  • Parents
  • Trusted family members
  • School counselors
  • Religious teachers

• Find someone who can:
  • Listen
  • Console
  • Give good advice

OR

Seek professional help from:

• Doctors
• Psychologists or Counsellors
• Psychiatrists